Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Onychomycosis due to saprophytic fungi

Report of 25 cases

  • Published:
Mycopathologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Twenty five cases of onychomycosis due to filamentous saprophytic agents were diagnosed within the period 1981–1982 in two mycology laboratories in Medellín, Colombia. These cases represented 4.5% and 9.5% respectively of the total fungal nail lesions (FNL) seen at those institutions. No explanation was found for the high frequencies, which sharply contrast with the previous local experience with the disease (0.4% of FNL). The responsible agents belonged to the following genera in decreasing order of frequency: Fusarium, Aspergillus, Scopulariopsis, Penicillium and Lasiodiplodia; two patients were infected with unidentified dematiaceous fungi and two more had the association of a saprophyte and a dermatophyte. In every case direct KOH preparations revealed septate hyphae, associated in 14 patients (56%) with chlamydoconidia. The only predisposing factors that were common to all these patients were age above 20 years and the use of footwear.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Alteras, I. & E. Saryt, 1979. Prevalence of pathogenic fungi in the toe-webs and toe-nails of diabetic patients. Mycopathologia 67: 157–159.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Disalvo, A. F. & A. M. Fickling, 1980. A case of nondermatophytic toe onychomycosis caused by Fusarium oxysporum. Arch. Dermatol. 116: 699–700.

    Google Scholar 

  3. English, M. P., 1976. Nails and Fungi. Brit. J. Dermatol. 94: 697–701.

    Google Scholar 

  4. McAleer, R., 1981. Fungal infections of the nails in Western Australia. Mycopathologia 73: 115–120.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Restrepo, A., M. Arango, H. Vélez & L. Uribe, 1976. The isolation of Botryodiplodia theobromae from a nail lesion. Sabouradia 14: 1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Reiersol, S., 1962. Mycological investigation of diseased nails and skin in 131 patients. Acta Pathol. Microbiol. Scand. 54: 30–88.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Ridell, R. W., 1950. Permanent stained mycological preparations obtained by slide culture. Mycologia 42: 265–270.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Cited by: Beneke, E. S., 1966. Medical Mycology Laboratory Manual, 2 ed. Minneapolis, Burgess, p. 21.

  9. Rippon, J. W., 1982. Onychomycosis. In: Medical Mycology, 1982. 2 ed. Philadelphia, Saunders, pp. 193–194.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Santamaría, L., H. Vélez & G. Guzmán, 1982. Dermatomicosis. Análisis retrospectivo de 2336 pacientes, 1976–1980. Acta Med. Colomb. 7: 453–459.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Walshe, M. M. & M. P. English, 1966. Fungi in nails. Brit. J. Dermatol. 78: 198–207.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Zaias, N., 1972. Onychomycosis. Arch. Dermatol. 105: 263–274.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia

    H. Vélez & F. Díaz

Authors
  1. H. Vélez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Díaz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vélez, H., Díaz, F. Onychomycosis due to saprophytic fungi. Mycopathologia 91, 87–92 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00436541

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00436541

Keywords

Search

Navigation